Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1953 Reference No: 4072 Movement No: 466'831 Case No: 331'663 Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal 492,19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold pin buckle signed PP&Co Dimensions: 34.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1953
Catalogue Essay
Vacheron Constantin’s reference 4072 is sleek, elegant and definitely one of the most well balanced vintage chronographs.
In production from 1938 until the late 1960s, the reference 4072 is a very diverse chronograph model. While cased most often in yellow gold, the reference was also dressed in pink gold, stainless steel, or steel and gold combinations and came with either olive shaped or rectangular shaped pushers like on the present example.
The elongated lugs and wide opening to the dial give the watch huge presence on the wrist.
Research shows that only 108 examples of the reference 4072 in pink gold with the cal. 492 were ever made.
The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.